JP4616858B2 - Virtual space security methods - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for supporting communication between users. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for transmitting and receiving text messages in a virtual space on a network where unspecified users participate.
In the present invention, the chat system is a system in which a chat server and a plurality of chat clients are connected to a network. The chat server broadcasts a text message from the chat client (hereinafter simply referred to as a message) to other chat clients in the same virtual space. A plurality of chat clients share the same virtual space and can send and receive messages.

  IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a kind of chat system, and includes an IRC server and an IRC client. A channel is a virtual space shared by IRC clients in IRC. In IRC, each IRC client is uniquely identified by an identifier called a nickname. Each channel is given a channel name that uniquely identifies the channel. The channel mode is an attribute for characterizing the channel.

  In the present invention, an awareness system is a system in which an awareness server and an awareness client are connected via a network. The awareness server manages detailed information about the user and distributes it to the user. The awareness client receives detailed information settings from the user and transmits them to the awareness server, or receives detailed information from the awareness server.

In recent years, with the rapid spread of the Internet, collaborative work using network communication has been actively performed among users. For example, a conference in an electronic conference room called a channel is possible by a plurality of users having a conversation in a channel using IRC.
In a chat system such as IRC, a user can send a message to a group of users in a participating channel by inputting a text message and pressing a return key. The message sent by the user is immediately displayed on the information terminal of the other user, and the user can have a character-based conversation with the same feeling as a real space conversation.

  If such a chat system is used, not only a one-to-one conversation but also a conversation between three or more users is possible, and a one-to-many question-and-answer conversation can be performed. Furthermore, since the conversation is performed by transmitting and receiving character data, it is easy to create a record of conversation contents such as minutes. In recent years, there has also been realized a chat system equipped with an awareness system function and capable of transmitting and receiving not only conversation contents but also detailed information about each user, that is, affiliation and user status.

  In the IRC described above, creation of a channel and participation in the channel are free to the user. Usually, when a user creates a channel based on a common topic, a theme of joint work, or the like, each related user participates in the channel. However, while you can participate freely, unrelated people can also participate in the channel. Therefore, if you want to have a secret conversation with anyone other than those involved, you must have a conversation after confirming the participating users.

  In order to have a conversation only between trusted users, it is possible to create a channel in a mode in which participation is not required without entering a password, or a mode in which participation is not possible only by an invited user, and the participating users can be controlled. However, once set, the mode cannot be changed easily. For this reason, it is difficult to perform flexible switching such as having a secret conversation in a certain situation and performing an open conversation otherwise.

  In addition, the chat system that transmits and receives detailed information of users as well as messages can be classified into either a type that transmits / receives detailed information only to a desired user or a case that transmits / receives detailed information of all users within a channel. In the former case, when a user creates a reference list of detailed information, that is, a so-called buddy list, in advance, the detailed information of the buddy is distributed to the owner of the buddy list. Since there is a trust relationship between the buddy and the owner of the buddy list, it is safe to send detailed information. However, in the latter case, anyone can freely participate in the channel as described above, and there is a risk that privacy may be harmed because users with unknown identity can see personal information such as company name, affiliation, and address. .

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology that maintains the security of conversation contents exchanged in a virtual space in a chat system and can change the security flexibly as necessary.

In order to solve the above problems, the first invention of the present application provides a virtual space security method for delivering a message to a user in a virtual space set up on a network. The method includes the following steps.
- at any time after the virtual space formed, it is determined that the not subject to the notification messages sent to virtual space security conditions as a prerequisite for identifying the user to, and subject to the security condition to set or change the processing for the message and detailed information to the user and stores in the security table received from the user in the virtual space,
- setting and changing the predetermined details stored each user or al accepted about each user,
• If a predetermined event occurs in the virtual space, the user who became the originator of the event is whether to comply with the security condition the stored, the originator of the event and became user of the details Identify based on information,
• If you have users who became the origin of the event has been identified as conforming to the security conditions, to users who became the originator of the event, and notifies the content of the event.
• If the user became originated the event is identified as incompatible with the security condition, for the non-conforming user is the user who became the originator of the event, stored in said security table based on the processing for the message and detailed information to the user, it performs the processing of the message and details.

  When applying the method of the present invention to IRC, examples of security conditions include specifying a nickname of a specific user or specifying a domain name of an email address managed in association with the nickname. Can be mentioned. Security conditions can be set and changed at any time for the created virtual space. For example, it is conceivable to set or change the security condition when an unknown user enters the virtual space.

The predetermined event is participation in a virtual space or sending a message. Notifying an event means notifying a user who has participated or broadcasting a transmitted message in a channel.
By making it possible to change the security conditions at any time after the virtual space is formed, it is possible to protect conversation contents according to the dynamically changing virtual space situation.

The present second invention is the first invention, the security condition against the incompatible user identified as incompatible with the, to provide a security method for a virtual space which indicates that it is incompatible with the security condition.
When the user joins the virtual space, when a message is sent, or when the security condition is changed, it is determined whether the user in the virtual space meets the security condition. By notifying the non-conforming user to that effect, it is possible to promote the exit of the user inappropriate for the virtual space from the virtual space.

The third invention of the present application is the first invention, wherein the setting and change of predetermined detailed information related to the user is received from the user and stored, and whether or not the security condition is met is determined based on the detailed information. A virtual space security method is provided.
The chat system is further provided with an awareness system function to manage personal information such as user status, company name, department, address, and telephone number. Since the security condition can be set using the detailed information, it becomes easy to adjust the security condition of the virtual space. In some cases, the chat system can manage such personal information.

The fourth invention of the present application provides a computer-readable recording medium on which a security program for a virtual space for executing the following steps for delivering a message to a user in a virtual space set up on a network is recorded.
- said at any time after the virtual space forming the virtual space conditions become security conditions for identifying the user as a target of notification messages sent, and determined not to be subject to security conditions has been set or changed processing for the message and detailed information to the user, step of storing in the security table received from the user in the virtual space,
· The step of setting and change of the predetermined detailed information about each user and stores the user whether et accepted,
• If a predetermined event occurs in the virtual space, the user who became the originator of the event is whether to comply with the security condition the stored, the originator of the event and became user of the details Identifying based on information,
• If the user became originated the event was identified as conforming to the security condition, the step of notifying the content of the event to the user became the originator of the event,
• If the user became originated the event is identified as incompatible with the security condition, for the non-conforming user is the user who became the originator of the event, stored in said security table based on the processing for the message and detailed information to the user, performing a processing of the message and details.

Here, as the recording medium, the computer can read and write a floppy disk, a hard disk, semiconductor memory, CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk (MO), and Ru mentioned.

  By using the present invention, it is possible to flexibly maintain the security of conversation contents exchanged in a virtual space in a chat system according to the situation of a dynamically changing virtual space.

<Outline of the invention>
The present invention makes it possible to set and change security conditions for a virtual space at an arbitrary time after the formation of the virtual space. Messages and detailed information are exchanged only between users who meet the security conditions. Since the security conditions can be changed at any time, the security conditions can be flexibly adjusted according to the situation in the virtual space. Since users who do not conform to the security conditions are not notified of the conversation content or detailed information, even if a suspicious user enters the virtual space, information can be exchanged with peace of mind.

<First embodiment>
(1) Configuration FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an IRC system according to a first embodiment. This system can send and receive text messages between users, has an awareness system function, and manages detailed user information. As shown in FIG. 1, the IRC system is configured by connecting a server 1 and a client 2 via a network 3. Although only one client 2 is shown in the figure, a plurality of clients are usually connected to the network 3.

(1-1) Server The server 1 includes an information notification device 20 and an IRC server 30. This IRC server has a function as an awareness server in addition to the function of a normal IRC server. Specifically, the IRC server 30 acquires detailed information of users participating in the channel from the client 2, manages it, and distributes it to the client 2. The detailed user information is personal information such as the user status such as whether the client 2 is connected to the network or disconnected, or whether the user is busy, the user's address, name, telephone number, e-mail address, and the like.

  The information notification device 20 includes a notification source user information acquisition unit 21, a participating user management unit 22, a security condition management unit 23, a notification destination user determination unit 24, a notification result notification unit 25, a participation management unit 26, a security management unit 27, and a security. A condition notification unit 28 is provided. With these functions, the information notification device 20 exchanges text messages and detailed information between users who satisfy the security conditions set for each channel.

The security condition management unit 23 manages the security table 41 and updates this table in response to a request from the client 2. FIG. 2 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of information stored in the security table. This table stores channel names, security conditions, and non-adapter actions.
In the security condition, a security condition for each channel is described. In the non-adapter treatment, a treatment for a user who does not satisfy the security condition is defined. Specifically, it is defined that a user who does not satisfy the security condition is not notified of a message of another user in the channel, is not notified of detailed information as well as a message. In this figure, different security conditions can be set for messages and detailed information.

  The participating user management unit 22 manages the participating user table 42 and updates the table according to a predetermined event. FIG. 3 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of information accumulated in the participating user table. This table stores channel names, nicknames, and detailed information. These pieces of information are information that can be acquired from the IRC server 30 by the information notification device 20. The nickname stores the nickname of the user participating in the corresponding channel. Detailed information is stored for each nickname.

The participation management unit 26 manages the participation time table 43 and updates this table according to a predetermined event. FIG. 4 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of information accumulated in the participation time table. This table stores the time when the participants in each channel joined the channel and the time when the message was transmitted in the channel.
(1-2) Client The client 2 includes an IRC client 13, a security condition setting unit 11, and a security display unit 12. The IRC client 13 has a function as an awareness client in addition to the function of a normal IRC client. That is, the IRC client 13 not only performs real-time text message transmission / reception, but also accepts update of detailed information from the user and transmits it to the IRC server 30, or transmits detailed information of other users in the channel to the IRC server 30. Or get from.

The security condition setting unit 11 receives an instruction to change the security condition of the channel in which the client 2 is participating from the user, and transmits the instruction to the information notification apparatus 20. The security display unit 12 outputs the security condition of the channel in which the client 2 is participating on the display screen of the client 2.
(2) Flow of processing Next, the flow of processing performed by the information notification device 20 having the above function will be specifically described. The information notification device 20 mainly performs (2-1) main processing, (2-2) exit processing, and (2-3) security condition change processing. Hereinafter, these three processes will be described in detail.

(2-1) Main Processing FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing performed by the information notification device 20.
Step S1: The information notification apparatus 20 waits for the occurrence of any event. When the event occurs, the information notification apparatus 20 performs the processes in and after step S2. Here, the event can include the client 2 joining or leaving any channel, sending a message to the channel, or sending new detailed information to the server 1.

Step S2: The information notification apparatus 20 updates the participation time table 43 by the participation management unit 26. When the client 2 joins the channel, the participation time of the user corresponding to the client 2 is written in the participation time table 43, and when the client 2 sends a message, the sending time is written in the participation time table 43.
Steps S3 and S4: The information notification device 20 passes the detailed information of the user who has generated the event and the content of the event to the notification destination user determination unit 24 by the notification source user information acquisition unit 21 (S3). For example, when the generated event is a message transmission, the notification source user information acquisition unit 21 notifies the notification destination user determination unit 24 of the message content, channel name, and nickname. Further, the notification destination user determination unit 24 acquires the security condition of the channel in which the event has occurred from the security table 41 (S4).

  Step S5: The notification destination user determination unit 24 determines whether or not the user who has generated the event meets the security conditions based on the notified detailed information. When the user who generated the event meets the security conditions (hereinafter simply referred to as a “matched user”), the processing from step S6 is performed. If it does not match (hereinafter simply referred to as “non-conforming user”), the process proceeds to step S8.

  Steps S6 and S7: The information notification apparatus 20 notifies the event notification destination by the notification destination user determination unit 24 (S6). Details of this process will be described later. Specifically, in order to notify a user who has participated and a message sent by the user, other users who meet the security conditions of the channel at that time are determined as notification destinations. Thereafter, the notification result notification unit 25 notifies the event group to the user group determined as the notification destination (S7).

  Steps S8, S9, and S10: The information notification device 20 determines a destination for notification of an event generated by the notification destination user determination unit 24 and notifies the contents of the event by the notification result notification unit 25, similarly to steps S6 and S7. To do. In addition, the conforming user in the channel is notified that the user that is the source of the event does not conform to the security conditions. On the other hand, the notification result notification unit 25 does not notify the non-conforming user of the presence of other users in the channel, message content, and detailed information (S9). Thereafter, the notification result notification unit 25 notifies the non-conforming user of the event generation source that the channel security conditions are not satisfied (S10).

According to this process, a message from the user, detailed information, a nickname of the user in the channel, and the like are notified only between users who satisfy the security condition in the channel. Therefore, even in a channel where an unspecified number of users can participate, security within the channel can be maintained between users who trust each other.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the notification determination processing subroutine performed in steps S6 and S8. In the main process, when the process proceeds to step S6 or step S8, the following process is started.

Step S11: The notification destination user determination unit 24 identifies any of users participating in the channel in which the event has occurred as a determination target.
Step S <b> 12: The notification destination user determination unit 24 acquires detailed information of the determination target user from the participating user table 42.
Steps S13 and S14: The notification destination user determining unit 24 determines whether or not the determination target user meets the security conditions (S13). If it matches, the user is determined as a notification destination and registered in the notification list (S14). If not, the process proceeds to step S15. The notification list is temporarily created for this processing.

Step S15: The notification destination user determination unit 24 determines whether or not the processing of Steps S11 to S14 has been performed for all users participating in the channel in which the event has occurred. Return to processing. If "No" is determined, the process returns to step S11, and the above process is repeated with another user as a determination target.
In this way, the user who meets the security conditions at the time when the event occurs is determined as the event notification destination.

(2-2) Exit Process FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the exit process performed by the information notification apparatus 20. In this process, the information notification device 20 makes an exit recommendation at an appropriate timing to the nonconforming user in the channel.
Step S21: The participating user management unit 22 performs the processing from step S22 onward at predetermined time intervals.

Step S22: The participating user management unit 22 identifies one of the existing channels as a determination target channel.
Step S23: The participating user management unit 22 reads the security condition of the channel specified as the determination target from the security table 41.
Step S24: The participating user management unit 22 identifies one of the users in the channel identified as the determination target as the determination target user.

Step S <b> 25: The participating user management unit 22 acquires detailed information of the user specified as the determination target from the participating user table 42.
Step S26: The participating user management unit 22 determines whether or not the determination target user meets the security conditions of the determination target channel. If it is determined that it matches, the process proceeds to step S24 to determine another user. If it is determined that they do not match, the process proceeds to step S27.

  Step S27: The participating user management unit 22 refers to the participation time table 43 and determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since a predetermined event. For example, if the message has not been sent to the channel after the target user has joined the channel, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the participation time in the channel. When a message is sent after joining the channel, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the message sending time. If "Yes" is determined, the process proceeds to step S28. If "No" is determined, the process proceeds to step S24 in order to perform the process for the next user.

Step S28: The participating user management unit 22 transmits a predetermined message that recommends leaving the channel to a non-conforming user for which a predetermined time has passed since the predetermined event.
Step S29: The participating user management unit 22 determines whether or not the above processing has been performed for all users in the channel to be determined. If “No” is determined, the process returns to step S24, and the above processing is performed for another user. repeat. If "Yes" is determined, the process proceeds to step S30.

Step S30: The participating user management unit 22 determines whether or not the processing from steps S22 to S29 has been performed for all channels. If "No" is determined, the process returns to step S22 in order to perform the same processing for another channel. If "Yes" is determined, the process proceeds to step S21, and the above-described processing is repeated again after a predetermined time has elapsed.
Through this process, a user who does not meet the channel security conditions is advised to leave after a certain time from joining or speaking to the channel.

(2-3) Security Condition Change Process FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the security condition change process. The status notification device 20 receives a security condition change request from the user, and sets or updates the security condition as needed.
Step S31: The security management unit 27 waits for a security condition setting request or a change request from the client 2, and proceeds to step S32 upon receiving any request.

Step S32: The security management unit 27 acquires detailed information of the requesting user from the participating user table 42.
Step S33: The security management unit 27 acquires from the security table 41 the current security condition of the channel for which setting or changing of the security condition is requested.

Step S34: The security management unit 27 determines whether or not the user who has requested the setting or change of the security condition meets the current security condition. If it matches, the process proceeds to step S35. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S36. Migrate to If the security condition has not been set yet, it is determined as “conforming” and the process proceeds to step S35.
Step S35: The security management unit 27 updates the security table according to the user's request.

Step S36: If the requesting user is a non-conforming user, the security management unit 27 notifies the requesting user that the security condition cannot be changed.
With this process, the user can set or change an appropriate security condition corresponding to a change in the situation in the channel at any point in time. Moreover, since security conditions from suspicious users are not accepted, there is no possibility that inappropriate security conditions are set.

(3) Screen Example Next, a screen example displayed by the security display unit 12 of the client 2 will be described.
FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen in which event contents are notified to a user who meets the channel security conditions in step S7 and step S9 of the main process. In this example, the user “katou” sends a message, and the message is notified to the users “tanaka” and “suzuki”. In this figure, the user window 91 displays all users in the channel. In this window, the user “akita” is displayed as a non-conforming user so as to be visually distinguishable from other conforming users.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen for notifying a non-conforming user. This screen is displayed by the client 2 in step S10 of the main process, for example. In this example, when the non-conforming user “katou” tries to send a message to the channel, the information notification device 20 notifies that the message cannot be sent in the channel. In this figure, only “katou” is displayed in the user window 91, and other users in the channel are not displayed.

  FIG. 11 is an example of a security condition change screen displayed by the security condition setting unit 11. By selecting any channel from the channel list and selecting the security condition from the pull-down menu, the security condition of the channel can be changed at any time. It is preferable to display only the channels in which the user is participating in the channel list. The channel in which the user is participating can be acquired from the IRC client 13.

<Other embodiment examples>
(A) In the embodiment, the case where the chat system is provided with the function of the awareness system has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a system having only a chat system function. In that case, the security condition can be set using information managed by the chat system. For example, a nickname can be specified as a security condition. When personal information such as an e-mail address is managed together with a nickname, security conditions may be set by designating the domain name of the address.
(B) A recording medium on which a program for executing the above-described method of the present invention is recorded is included in the present invention. Examples of the recording medium include a computer readable / writable floppy disk (registered trademark), a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a magneto-optical disk (MO), and the like.

<Appendix>
(Appendix 1)
A virtual space security method for delivering a message to a user in a virtual space set up on a network,
At any timing after the virtual space formation, setting or changing the security conditions for forming a user group in the virtual space is received from the user in the virtual space and stored,
When a predetermined event occurs in the virtual space, the content of the event is notified to a user who meets the stored security conditions.
Virtual space security method.

(Appendix 2)
The virtual according to appendix 1, wherein it is determined whether or not a user in the virtual space complies with security conditions at a predetermined timing, and a non-conforming user who does not conform is notified that the user does not conform to the security condition. Spatial security method.
(Appendix 3)
3. The virtual space security method according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the non-conforming user who is in the virtual space even after a predetermined time has passed after the occurrence of the predetermined event is recommended to exit the virtual space.

For example, it notifies the virtual space that it is incompatible at the time of participation, and recommends leaving five minutes after participation. By this method, a user inappropriate for the virtual space can be quickly withdrawn from the virtual space.
(Appendix 4)
The virtual space security method according to appendix 1, wherein other notification destination users are notified to a notification destination user notifying the predetermined event.

Users who meet the security conditions can confirm who the message was broadcast to, and even if a suspicious user is in the virtual space, conversation can be performed with peace of mind.
(Appendix 5)
The virtual space security method according to appendix 1, wherein setting or changing the security condition is received from a user who meets the security condition.

For example, it is determined whether the user conforms to the security conditions or whether the user is a channel operator in the case of IRC.
(Appendix 6)
Accept and store the settings and changes of the predetermined detailed information about the user from the user,
Determining whether the security condition is satisfied based on the detailed information;
The virtual space security method according to attachment 1.

(Appendix 7)
A message server for delivering a message to a user in a virtual space set up on a network,
Means for accepting and storing a security condition setting or change for forming a user group in the virtual space from a user in the virtual space at an arbitrary timing after the virtual space formation;
Means for notifying a user who meets the stored security conditions of the contents of the event when a predetermined event occurs in the virtual space;
A message server comprising:

(Appendix 8)
A computer-readable recording medium that records a virtual space security program for delivering a message to a user in a virtual space set up on a network,
A; accepting and storing a security condition setting or change for forming a user group in the virtual space from a user in the virtual space at an arbitrary timing after the virtual space is formed;
B; when a predetermined event occurs in the virtual space, notifying the user of the stored security conditions of the content of the event;
A computer-readable recording medium in which a security program for virtual space for executing the program is recorded.

(Appendix 9)
A conversation device for a user to send and receive messages in a virtual space set up on a network,
A conversation device comprising means for accepting a setting or change of security conditions for forming a user group in the virtual space and sending it to the virtual space.

(Appendix 10)
A computer-readable recording medium recording a conversation program for a user to send and receive messages in a virtual space set up on a network,
A computer-readable recording medium on which a conversation program is recorded, which executes a step of accepting setting or changing of a security condition for forming a user group in the virtual space and sending it to the virtual space.

  The present invention can be applied to a technique for transmitting and receiving text messages in a virtual space on a network in which unspecified users participate.

1 shows a configuration of an IRC system according to a first embodiment. The conceptual explanatory drawing of a security table. A conceptual explanatory view of a participating user table. The conceptual explanatory view of a participation time table. The flowchart which shows the flow of a main process. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of a notification determination process subroutine. The flowchart which shows the flow of an exit process. The flowchart which shows the flow of a security condition change process. An example of the event content notification screen. An example of a notification screen indicating that security conditions are not met. Security condition change screen example.

Explanation of symbols

1; server 2; client 3; network 13; IRC client (awareness client)
20; Information notification device 30; IRC server (awareness server)

Claims (4)

A virtual space security method for delivering a message to a user in a virtual space set up on a network,
Wherein at any time after the virtual space forming the virtual space notification subject to security conditions as a prerequisite for identifying the user of the message sent and received, and are determined not to be subject to security conditions to set or change the processing for the message and detailed information to the user and stores in the security table received from the user in the virtual space,
Setting and changing the predetermined detailed information about each user and stores the user whether et accepted,
If a predetermined event occurs in the virtual space, whether the user who became the originator of the event conforms to the security conditions the storage, the details of the user who became the originator of the event Based on
If the user who becomes the generation source of the event is identified as compatible with the security condition, and notifies the content of the event to the user became the originator of the event,
If the user who becomes the generation source of the event is identified as incompatible with the security condition, for the non-conforming user is the user who became the originator of the event, stored in said security table the based on the processing for the message and detailed information to the user, performs the processing of the message and details,
Virtual space security method. The against the incompatibility users identified as incompatible with the security condition, it indicates that it is incompatible with the security condition, security methods of a virtual space according to claim 1. Accept and store the settings and changes of the predetermined detailed information about the user from the user,
Determining whether the security condition is satisfied based on the detailed information;
The virtual space security method according to claim 1. A computer-readable recording medium that records a virtual space security program for delivering a message to a user in a virtual space set up on a network,
Wherein at any time after the virtual space forming the virtual space notification subject to security conditions as a prerequisite for identifying the user of the message sent and received, and are determined not to be subject to security conditions and storing in the security table to set or change the processing for the message and detailed information to the user, accepts a user in the virtual space has,
Setting and changing the predetermined detailed information about each user and storing each user or al accepted,
If a predetermined event occurs in the virtual space, whether the user who became the originator of the event conforms to the security conditions the storage, the details of the user who became the originator of the event Identifying based on,
If the user who becomes the generation source of the event is identified as compatible with the security condition, a step of notifying the content of the event to the user became the originator of the event,
If the user who becomes the generation source of the event is identified as incompatible with the security condition, for the non-conforming user is the user who became the originator of the event, stored in said security table the based on the processing for the message and detailed information to the user, and performing the processing of the message and details,
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the security program of the virtual space which performs.

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